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Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Discussions => Topic started by: nitehawk on September 28, 2010, 12:39:29 pm

Title: Synthetic oil use
Post by: nitehawk on September 28, 2010, 12:39:29 pm
Has anyone switched to synthetic oil in their Detroit diesel (8.2) Series 60 after it had about 60K miles on it? Would oil consumption go up? MPG? I once switched oil to synthetic on a 454 Chev engine with disastrous results. It had about 75K on it and ended up using a quart of oil every 100 miles. Smoked exhaust too!! :o
Title: Re: Synthetic oil use
Post by: Peter & Beth on September 28, 2010, 12:52:24 pm
Nighthawk,
I personnaly would not make the switch.  The added expense is not going to get you many more miles either on the engine or per gallon.  To me it's not cost effective for the engine.  The transmission or transaxle is another story, though.
 
Also you may want to search the topic here as this may have already been discussed.  I would stay with the manufacturer recommended oil.
Title: Re: Synthetic oil use
Post by: Dave Head on September 28, 2010, 01:02:05 pm
Big difference between a Series 60 and an 8.2L
Like, 6 liters, to start...
Title: Re: Synthetic oil use
Post by: wolfe10 on September 28, 2010, 04:56:42 pm
Big difference between a Series 60 and an 8.2L
Like, 6 liters, to start...

YUP, it would be the 8.2 liter V8 four stroke DD in his rig.

And, no, I would not change oils in that age engine.

Brett Wolfe
Title: Re: Synthetic oil use
Post by: Kent Speers on September 28, 2010, 08:32:41 pm
Please tell me more about what to use in the Diff. and the trany. The Tramission fluid was changed less than 5,000 miles ago but smells a little burned.
Title: Re: Synthetic oil use
Post by: Barry Beam on September 28, 2010, 10:24:09 pm
Quote
Please tell me more about what to use in the trany.
The Transmission fluid was changed less than 5,000 miles ago but smells a little burned.

http://beamalarm.com/Documents/transynd-fluid-change-interval.htm (http://beamalarm.com/Documents/transynd-fluid-change-interval.htm)
Title: Re: Synthetic oil use
Post by: wolfe10 on September 28, 2010, 10:30:49 pm
Barry,

I have been hesitant to chime in on this one because I am just not familiar with the fluid requirements of the older-generation Allison used on the U300.  Allison 3000 and 4000, I am familiar with.

Kent, here is a document that covers all Allison transmissions.  http://www.allisontransmission.com/servlet/DownloadOnDemand?ApplicationID=155&DownloadID=5&Preview=1 (http://www.allisontransmission.com/servlet/DownloadOnDemand?ApplicationID=155&DownloadID=5&Preview=1)

Brett Wolfe
Title: Re: Synthetic oil use
Post by: PatC on September 29, 2010, 07:03:53 pm
Big difference between a Series 60 and an 8.2L
Like, 6 liters, to start...
Dave is right!  Completely different engine, and not real popular. 

It is aka the Detroit Diesel 8.2 Fuel Pincher, and no where near the engine the Detroit 60 series is.  Weak link is the turbo which likes to disintegrate.  I would stick with the oil recommended for the engine.  But with the turbo being the weak I would consider doing some research concerning synthetic because the turbo problem could be lubrication starvation. But there is no way I could recommend a synthetic for that engine without more research.
Title: Re: Synthetic oil use
Post by: nitehawk on October 18, 2010, 09:06:55 am
Hey Everybody, thanks for the input. The reason I brought it up was because a close friend that worked for FWD (Four Wheel Drive) in Clintonville, WI where they make fire trucks recommended I go to synthetic oil. FWD has built a lot of trucks that had the Detroit Diesel engine over the 30 plus years my friend worked there but I wasn't  totally confident doing it until I consulted with the great people on the Foretravel Site.

THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(as an aside: After seeing all the happy faces on the left side profiles they make me wonder if it is because we all have Foretravel Coaches or is it because everyone is wearing a broken watch that only reads five o'clock?)

nighthawk